Mayor Adams announces Citi Bike expansion in outer boroughs

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Lyft, unveiled a plan to expand Citi Bike service to underserved communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens starting in Fall 2025.

This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for bike share services, with the new stations bringing convenient, sustainable transportation to areas like Norwood and Riverdale in the Bronx, Brownsville and Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, and areas west of Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.

“People in Brownsville and other low-income neighborhoods deserve Citi Bike access as much as any other New Yorker, and this expansion brings us closer to ensuring just that,” said Mayor Adams. “Whether it’s half-priced Metro Cards, expanded student Metro Cards, electrifying our fleet, or so much more, we’re building a more affordable, more equitable, more sustainable transportation system in all five boroughs.”

The expansion will add over 250 new Citi Bike stations, providing 2,900 bikes to the system, including nearly 1,500 electric bikes. These additions will extend bike share access to more than 900,000 New Yorkers. Upon completion, 64% of the city’s residents will live within a five-minute walk of a Citi Bike station, offering broader access to more than 36,000 bikes and 2,400 stations across the city.

DOT Commissioner Rodriguez emphasized, “Citi Bike is more popular than ever because it’s convenient, sustainable, and a quick way to get around. Bike share has become an integral part of our transportation landscape, and this expansion will bring this great service to even more communities.”

Lyft, which operates Citi Bike, also celebrated the expansion. Caroline Samponaro, Lyft’s vice president of external affairs, highlighted that Citi Bike now supports over 1.6 million unique riders annually, with 44 million journeys this year alone. “It’s been astounding to see Citi Bike grow from an idea into a critical part of New York City’s transportation network,” Samponaro added.

The expansion is part of the city’s broader efforts to make transportation more affordable and sustainable. This includes the “Fair Fares NYC” program, which helps low-income residents access affordable transportation options, and the installation of more electric vehicles in the city’s fleet. Furthermore, the new bike stations will complement other green initiatives, including a significant expansion of protected bike lanes and greenways.

State officials also expressed support for the project. State Senator Michael Gianaris noted the importance of the expansion in his community of western Queens, while Senator Andrew Gounardes pointed out that more access to Citi Bike means greater transportation options for residents in Bay Ridge and other neighborhoods.

“This is critical to ensure all New Yorkers, especially those of us in transit deserts, have equal access to this popular program,” said Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “Once the expansion is complete, 64 percent of New Yorkers will be within five minutes of a Citi Bike station, bringing unprecedented access to this efficient, sustainable transportation solution.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. also praised the expansion, particularly its impact on reducing auto congestion in neighborhoods like Forest Hills.

With the completion of this expansion, Citi Bike is expected to further cement its role as a key component of New York City’s transportation landscape, offering an eco-friendly, accessible, and affordable transit option to millions of residents.